if you don't mind backpacking, there are great green areas to stop along the way and have a snack. Initially, the trail goes along some very congested real estate, but the sound barriers do muffle the traffic noise so in portions it is very nice, heavily wooded on both sides, and in some places refreshingly cool. I completely agree that the trail has many crossings, which can be difficult to navigate (not for markings, but for motorists who are not really attentive). At its full length, the Chester Valley Trail is planned to run from Atglen at the Chester County line to the Schuylkill River. Looking forward to more rides! I'm basing my rating on comparison to other trails I've ridden. Current plans call for adding five more miles to the countys 22-mile-long network of paved pedestrian trails. We walked our bikes across the 3 intersections around the work since we were determined to get to the end of the trail. A 3.8-mile eastward extension to Norristown opened in March 2023 and connects the trail to theSchuylkill River Trail, which creates access to Valley Forge National Historical Park to the north and Philadelphia to the south. I saw a lot of different types of bikes, recumbents, rollerblades, runners! Counties: Chester. Hours of operation are from 1/2 before sunrise to 1/2 hour past sunset. 501 0 obj <> endobj Enjoy! Once this occurs, the Chester Valley Trail will form part of the Schuylkill-Susquehanna Passage, a long-distance greenway that will connect Harrisburg and Philadelphia. On our way out we encountered an injured raccoon in the middle of the trail that had been cleaned up on the way back. This Phase will be about 1.25 miles. There are two intersections in particular that I found quite dangerous. Great Job!! The Chester Valley Trail now stretches 13.5 miles in Chester County, from the Montgomery County border and running through Tredyffrin, East Whiteland, and West Whiteland townships. You can get to Valley Forge National Park either via The Schuylkill River Trail or via the trail system in Chesterbrook (being formerly developed as part of the Patriot's Path to Valley Forge). We found it well maintained, paved and wide. It is great to have a trail so close to the Mainline. Overall a great trail! This trail is such a tease, because once it is fully finished it will be a great ride. I cannot claim to be a frequent trail user. There are a fair amount of road crossing with two being busy four lane highways but they all either have signals or stop signs. View Final Report; View Final Appendix; Project Description. The Chester Valley Trail Extension passes through three municipalities, Upper Merion Township, Bridgeport, and Norristown. When is soon? It has since been investing in pre-existing and new trails across the county, and making huge strides. Image via the Chester County Planning Commission. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. The first section is in design and will extend the trail from Exton Town Center to near . It might get a little boring. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. The bad is that you will need to keep a close eye out for the many walkers, runners, strollers, and families. This extension of the existing 13.5 mile trail will . Please direct any questions or comments you may have to Brian Styche at bstyche@chesco.org. This proposed segment of the Chester Valley Trail would connect the currently planned terminus in Downingtown to the Enola Low Grade Trail in Lancaster County. Upper Dublin is taking the lead on designing and funding its section of the trail just over 4 miles from Pennsylvania Avenue up to Welsh Road. A nice, flat, paved and well marked trail. The county is looking for funding to construct a roughly $8 million to $10 million trail bridge over Germantown Pike to continue the trail into Whitemarsh. Lots of stops to cross traffic. My recommendation would be to drive further down (3-4 miles in the trail, around Penn medicine) and its getting quieter. Speedy road bikers may not like the many road crossings over a 12 mile stretch, but a great addition to the trail system. Brandywine Conservancy is working with Caln Township and the Chester County Planning Commission on a feasibility study for its portion of Chester County's Chester Valley Trail West extension, which the previously completed study refers to as the "Beaver Creek Trail.". The trail is great. Now on that note it is a fun smooth ride. Its how we live. There is a short section on the northern part of the trail which is more exposed to sun and Rte 202 traffic noise. There are several street crossings but they have pedestrian blinking lights and the crossings are well marked so I felt safe crossing with my boys. Emily Rizzo is WHYY News suburban reporter covering Bucks and Montgomery counties. If you are looking for a great trail to hear mother nature. It will offer access to Philadelphia and the western parts of Montgomery County. You'll be pleased. Plans call for extending it westward to Downingtown. Noise from 202 was blocked mostly by a wall. The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan. TWICE, on the way back, I LITERALLY got LOST! There are also many cross streets which will slow your time considerably, even though most of them are secondary roads. One of those is Battle of the Clouds Park, located 1 mile past Ecology Park, where the trail crosses Phoenixville Pike. The Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) completed the Chester Valley Trail Extension Study (CVTE) which investigated alternatives and determined a recommended alignment for extension of the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) from its current terminus in Exton into the Borough of Downingtown. I recommend starting at KoP to make the return trip slightly downhill. Our suburban reporters want to hear from you! Final Report. According to Trail markings, bicycle speed is limited to 15 miles per hour. Park at either Exton Park or the trailhead off of S. Warner Rd, and you can get a 28 mile ride; the former has a restroom, while the later has a port-a-john. The project was funded primarily by the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), along with capital improvement funds provided by Montgomery County. A view of the Chester Valley Trail. It continues past the Veterans Memorial Park and into the King of Prussia area of Upper Merion Township. Users will eventually be able to take the Cross County Trail to the Wissahickon Trail, Power Line Trail, Cresheim Trail, and the Schuylkill River Trail into Philadelphia. On Monday, March 13, 2023, the Montgomery County Commissioners joined with other local officials to cut the ribbon on the Chester Valley Trail Extension, a 3.8-mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail. I like this trail for early season rides or when riding with a group of mixed ability. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I road this trail. 0 Be careful here. The design will enable people with different capacities and abilities to use the trail system, whether its because of your age or a handicap or some other disability, Hartman said. 2023 The Circuit Trails. On top of that, truck traffic is extremely heavy and frequently blocks the intersection. Riding east, there is 2 miles round trip east of the trailhead off of S. Warner Rd; as w. the western end of the trail, it's ugly but at least more interesting. Public Meeting #1: 'Introduction' was held October 8th, 2015 at the West Whiteland Township Building Main Meeting Room. There were a couple of maintenance stations along the way. Public Meeting #2: 'Alternatives Analysis Review / DRAFT Recommended Alignment' was held March 30th at the West Whiteland Township Main Meeting Room. Once complete this trail will connect Downingtown, Coatesville, Parkesburg, Atglen and points in between with the . The trail is used for commuting, exercise, and recreation by a variety of users including, walkers, joggers, cyclists, and inline skaters. All motorists very considerate. Join us at Chester Valley Trail West Public Meeting, Planning Commission Releases Final Plan for Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown, Download a full copy of the final report and watch a short summary video of the recommended improvements. Chester County is expecting to extend the trail into Downingtown. There are many well marked road crossings with gates and audible crossing signals. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. I have an Electra Loft. The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery County's trail system, Hartman said. Used it for the first time last week. About 3 miles of the trail already exist starting at the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken and going up to Germantown Pike. Took several minutes (and several again on the way back). If the CVT was designed for such high speeds there would be mandatory lanes for bike riders. This will likely change once future segments are finished. The Chester Valley Trail is a planned multi-use trail from Downingtown to Norristown. There I are just enough small hills to make it interesting but not too steep.There is a clean restroom and water fountain at approximately 11 miles. It then continues for an additional 1500 feet before abruptly dead-ending at a clump of bushes. Smooth asphalt trail and well maintained with lots of shaded areas. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. He has a mountain bike. Click to open the map in a new window. All in all, I would say that the portion of the trail that I saw was very nice. Lots of shade & nice suburban neighborhoods to ride through. I like having access to it at different points. However, the fact that several major segments remain unbuilt, necessitating lengthy detours on busy roads, give the trail a low overall rating. Complete a comprehensive feasibility study for the Chester Valley Trail. There are a few road crossings but they are well controlled by lights and the drivers in this area seem to be familiar with the trail crossings and often stop before you get to push the button for the traffic signal. This is a well built trail that travels down Pennsylvania's Great Valley. I can't imagine they like the trail that much as there was a lot of sand/dirt/brush washed up on the trail from the recent rains. Chester Valley Trail spans 18.6 from Schuylkill River Trail by Trail Junction Center (75 E Lafayette St, Norristown) to 0.3 mile west of Indian Run St & Commerce Dr (Exton) . The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester County's Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery County's Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. Is the plan to connect to that?? Each of these municipalities is represented on a project Steering Committee along with representatives from other County departments and local stakeholders. Constantly looking over my shoulder for cyclists. The trail is asphalt all the way, and virtually level. Good track to work on your speed. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. endstream endobj 502 0 obj <. There are lots of road crossings, and road noise from Route 202, but it was so pretty! If you are going to do this trail you really need to read a few reviews. . Otherwise, the proximity to 202 and the numerous road crossings makes the trail feel choppy and you never really feel disconnected from suburbia. The trail extension project included the installation of two new pedestrian bridges at South Gulph Road and Henderson Road, and the enhancement of two existing bridges. We started in King of Prussia and before long were at Wegman's in Malvern. In the less congested western end, the trail utilizes short tunnels to cross US 202 and Swedesford Road.Theres no lack of fast food and restaurants in the retail centers along the eastern segment.